Russian Sage 'Little Spire'
- Scientific Name: Perovskia atriplicfolia 'Little Spire'
- Garden: Dog Friendly Garden
- Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous
- Sun/Shade Exposure: Full Sun
- Moisture Requirements: Moist, well-drained
Plant Information
Lavender flowers on compact 2-foot-tall x 2-foot-wide plants, blooms July-Sept.
Russian sage is neither Russian nor a sage but this low maintenance, showy perennial is a great choice for both beginning and experienced gardeners.
With its shrubby habit, silvery grey-green leaves, beautiful lavender flowers, and long bloom time it is an attractive addition to any border or bed. Once established this plant is reliably drought tolerant. It also prefers hot dry heat so if you have a hot spot in your garden and just don’t know what to put there this plant is your answer.
Perovskia looks like a lavender on steroids with its own sweet, sage-like, high desert fragrance. The stems of this perennial can also be cut for dried flower arrangements or left on the plant for nice fall color. A good plant to combine with Perovskia would be Rudbeckia, Agastache, sedums or ornamental grasses.
Culture: Sunny, well-drained soil is crucial.
Maintenance: Plants can be pinched or cut back by one half when they are about 12” to all to obtain fuller shrubs. This plant also benefits from heavy pruning each spring before new growth starts and seldom needs dividing.
Pest and Disease: None serious